Houston Blogs Chris Bell

That would be me in the prime spot right across from the next governor of Texas. Well, that's my 12-inch powerbook, anyway. I'm taking the photo, so you have to imagine me sitting there with other Houston area bloggers tonight having the chance to ask Chris Bell whatever we wanted. This is the first blogger event like this that Chris has done and it was very informative and a whole lot of fun. As always, Chris was passionate about the issues, sharp and funny as hell. They guy has the dryest sense of humor and is very self deprecating. When I shared with him that some of my Austin area activist friends are coming around to feel the Chris Bell love (mcblogger!), he said, "Well, I've been to see a personality surgeon." Yeah, that explains it Chris. Actually, everyone is finally waking up!

The enthusiasm is DEFINITELY building for Chris all around the state. We heard some good campaign stories from west, east and south Texas. Also, good news on the fundraising front! $1.2 million in the second quarter. Chris has a very positive message about winning and wants all Democrats to know that we can win and we WILL win. He thinks that Strayhorn's money is going to be spent firing negative salvos at Rick Perry and Perry will be doing the same to her. Won't THAT be fun to watch! I almost forget how much fun that is going to get what with my fixation on all things TX-22.

Chris' main issues? Education, for one. He knows educators and parents are sick of the TAKS test. Go back and read my post on the bloggers call with Sherrie Matula. We are headed down a bad path (and fast) with our educational system in Texas. We need some real leadership in Texas. There is a huge misconception that the governor of Texas is completely ineffectual. Wrong. Perry has been able to use his "executive order" privilege to put far-reaching educational policy in place such as the 65% rule that requires all Texas schools to spend 65% of their budget on instructional activities, which are narrowly and strangely defined. At the educational meetings I go to, the point has been made from the podium that teachers can make a difference in the governor's race this year.

Other important issues to Chris Bell - stem cell research, health care and the environment.

I will blog about some of these issues separately. Chris is going on an environmental tour soon and that should bring some attention to this important issue.

Dos Centavos has a great post up about our meeting and covers Chris' opinion on the immigration issue quite well. The main point: why do Democrats respond to non-issues that the Republicans bring up? I LOVED Bell's take on this. He is wondering why the Republicans are willing to alienate the entire Latin American community and if they looked out of their high-rise office buildings in Dallas and saw the 500,000 marchers on the street. Good questions, Chris!

I compliment Chris on his great website and blog. Thanks for sitting down with us over a cup of coffee tonight! Daily Grind in the Heights - great place!

UPDATE: Progressive Texan liveblogged our discussion with Bell.